News

Day Pitney LLP announced today that Christopher F. Droney, retired Senior U.S. Court of Appeals Judge for the Second Circuit, has rejoined the firm's Hartford office as a partner in the Litigation Department. Droney began his legal career at Day Pitney as an associate following law school.

"We are thrilled to welcome back Judge Droney to Day Pitney," said Tom Goldberg, Day Pitney's Managing Partner. "Judge Droney's unique combination of experience as a trial and appellate jurist for more than two decades and as a former U.S. Attorney will significantly benefit our clients and enhance our deep team of talented lawyers."

Droney was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit by President Obama on December 1, 2011, where he served for eight years. Until his elevation to the Court of Appeals, he served as a U.S. District Judge for the District of Connecticut for fourteen years. Before his judgeships, Droney was the U.S. Attorney for Connecticut. His experience also includes serving as Mayor of West Hartford.

During his time on the federal appellate and trial bench, Droney presided over numerous trials and appeals, and authored opinions on employment matters, constitutional issues, intellectual property, breach of contract, antitrust, securities litigation, class actions, insurance, criminal law and procedure, among other areas.

While on the Court of Appeals, Droney was a member of the Committee for the Administration of the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts of the U.S. Judicial Conference. He was also a member of the board of directors of the Federal Judges Association.

As a U.S. Attorney, Droney supervised numerous criminal investigations, including grand jury matters. He was also a member of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee of U.S. Attorneys, and chair of the Civil Issues Subcommittee of the Attorney General's Advisory Committee.

"I am excited to return to private practice at Day Pitney," said Droney. "I look forward to collaborating with the firm's many talented lawyers, many of whom I know and have worked with, to develop solutions for clients across a range of areas."

As part of Day Pitney's Litigation Department and a member of the Appellate practice group, Droney's practice will focus on complex litigation at state and federal levels. He will also represent clients in matters involving governmental and internal investigations and white collar defense.

Droney is the second Connecticut jurist to join Day Pitney within the past two years. In 2018, Chase T. Rogers, retired Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court, joined the firm’s Hartford office as a partner in the Litigation Department and as a member of the Appellate practice group.

Judge Droney received his B.A. degree, magna cum laude, from Holy Cross College and his J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law.